[Method of isolating pathogenic enterobacteria from atmospheric air]. The authors present comparative results of determination of sedimentation and aspiration methods of air pollution by pathogenic enterobacteria during the artificial sewage "raining". Results (in per cent) of isolation of salmonellae from the air by both methods proved to be very close; however, a possibility of isolation of pathogenic bacteria from the air increased with the use of the apparatus for the examination of large air volumes.


[Vocal reactions of chickens to midbrain stimulation with different electrical current parameters]. Vocal reactions of hens are realized via nucleus intercollicularis, nucleus mesencephalicus, nucleus isthmi (pars principalis magnocellularis), nucleus isthmi (pars principalis parvocellularis), formatio reticularis and other midbrain structures. These findings indicate a widespread representation of vocal centre in the midbrain of hens. Functional properties of these structures are different. Intercollicular and dorsal mesencephalic nuclei exhibit higher excitability as compared to isthmic nuclei and the reticular formation. Vocal reactions depend on the parameters of the electrical stimuli. The increase in the amplitude and frequency of stimulation facilitates vocal reaction and changes its pattern.


[Palatine tonsils and immunity. VI. Effect of thymosin and palatine tonsil extract on the immunologic reactivity of neonatally thymectomized and intact mice]. Experiments were conducted on Wistar rats, intact and neonatally thymectomized CBA mice; a study was made of the immunological activity of the extracts of the thymus and the palatine tonsils of calves obtained by the method of Goldstein et al (1966). The extract of the palatine tonsils obtained proved to contain a small amount of thymosin at whose expense an insignificant restoration of immunological reactivity occurs in its administration neonatally to thymectomized mice.


[Responses of dorsal and ventral thalamic neurons to visual stimulation in Emys orbicularis tortoises]. Extracellular studies have been made on the background activity and reactions to visual stimuli in neurons of nucleus rotundus and nucleus suprapeduncularis of the thalamus in the tortoise E. orbicularis. Reactions of on-off type to diffuse light flashes were recorded predominantly in both of the nuclei, whereas specific reactions to movement stimuli were found in the neurons of n. rotundus. The receptive area of the neurons in both of the nuclei involves all the visual field of one or both of the eyes. The structure of the receptive area of the neurons of n. suprapeduncularis is relatively homogeneous, whereas the receptive area of the neurons in n. rotundus exhibits a zone with an increased excitability under the horizontal meridian. After a damage of tectum opticum, the heterogeneity of the receptive areas and the specific responses to movement in cells of n. rotundus disappeared, while thresholds of the reactions increased. In the neurons of n. suprapeduncularis homogeneous structure of the receptive area remained unaffected, the thresholds of the reactions being increased as well.


[The effect of muscular loading on carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the current year's brood of Salmo irideus trout]. In trout fingerlings with a mean weight 1.1 g and body length 4.3 cm, kept in a water stream at the velocity of 0.2 m/sec for 1-3 hours, the content of glycogen in muscles, liver and brain decreases whereas the content of unsaturated fatty acids and glucose in the blood as well as the level of lactate in muscles increase. After 5-hour swimming of the fingerlings carbohydrate metabolism and the content of unsaturated fatty acids return to the initial levels; the content of fat in the liver significantly decreases. Presumably trout fingerlings exhibit high capacity for adaptation to the given muscular activity and do not show fatigue.


[Immunologic properties and role of the low-molecular component in a preparation of S. typhi Vi antigen]. The author compared the serological, immunogenic and protective activity of the Vi-antigen and its high- and low-molecular fractions; an interaction between these fractions in administration of their mixture to the animals was studied. The low-molecular antigen (the 2nd fraction), contained in the preparation of the Vi-polysaccharide differed considerably (by properties) from the high-molecular antigen. The 2nd fraction, whose antigenic substance possessed the least immunogenic and protective capacity, failed to induce or to resolve the immunological memory, and also prevented the manifestations of the high immunogenicity of the 1st fraction. Therefore the nonfractional preparation of the Vi-antigen, consisting of 80% of a high-molecular substance of the 1st fraction and having the same serological activity as the 1st fraction, possessed a lesser immunogenic and protective activity.


[A microdissection study of Lampetra fluviatilis lamprey nephrons]. Each of the nephrons in the lamprey L. fluviatilis consists of three distinct segments-proximal, thin, and distal ones. Proximal segments are differentiated into a convoluted and a descending parts, whereas distal ones-into a convoluted and an ascending parts. Therefore microdissection studies indicate that the anatomical composition of a single nephron in the river lamprey is identical to that of a superficial nephron in mammals. Parallel arrangement of the proximal descending, thin, and distal ascending segments, as well as of the collecting tubules, also makes the kidney of the lamprey similar to the countercurrent system in the medulla of mammalian kidney. The data obtained imply that Henle's loop is present in the kidneys not only of higher Vertebrates, but of Cyclostomes as well.


[Possibility of peroral revaccination against tetanus]. The authors present the results of oral revaccination of volunteers by purified tetanus toxoid. It appeared that in a dose of 500 BU tetanus toxoid covered with no special coat, produced no immunological effect. As to the coated toxoid-the same dose produced and increase in the antitoxin titre to the protective level, and greater.


[Reactions of the pinealocytes on the scorpionfish, Scorpaena porcus, to ionic equilibrium disorders]. Morpho-functional changes in scorpionfish pinealocytes have been observed during an increase in potassium sodium or magnesium content of the sea water. These changes include the increase in the height and the diameter of the nuclei of pinealocytes, the increase being followed by apocrynic secretion in the cells. It is suggested that the pineal organ of the scorpionfish is involved in the reaction of the organism to changes in the ionic balance of the internal milieu.


[Late toxicoses of pregnancy and transplacental transmission of antituberculosis antibodies]. The content of antituberculosis antibodies in the blood of neonates was studied with the aid of passive hemagglutination test (PHT) after Boiden and in the PHT modified after Middlebrook-Dubot. The use of a complex antigen from the BCG vaccine in the PHT proved to possess the greatest prospects; antituberculosis humoral antibodies were detected at the time of birth in 48.5% of the children. A total of 322 neonates, including 167 neonates born of mothers with late toxemia of pregnancy, were examined. With the given complication of pregnancy there was revealed a disturbance of the transplacental transmission of antituberculosis antibodies, this being explaining by the destructive-sclerotic changes in the placental tissue in marked toxemia of pregnancy.


[Hyperpolarization response of an identified neuron of Planobarius corneus mollusks to several cholinomimetic substances]. Two kinds of responses to cholinomimetics were found on the identified neuron (P-2) of Planorbarius corneus pedal ganglion using microelectrode technique. Nicotinomimetics caused depolization whereas some muscarinomimetics caused hyperpolarization of the neuron membrane. Acetylcholine usually depolarized the neuron membrane but after the blockade of nicotinic receptors with tubocurarine one can reveal a hyperpolarizing action of acetylcholine. These findings suggest that two kinds of receptors exist on the P-2 neuron membrane and these receptors differ both in pharmacological characteristics and in ionic permeability changes they control.


[Ultrastructure of L forms. IV. L forms of nonagglutinating vibrios]. A study was made of the ultrastructure of stable L-forms of Nag vibrios aged 24 hours. Cells of all types of the L-forms had cytoplasmic membranes, and a three-layered structure, which was found not everywhere. Externally of the cytoplasmic membrane, in some areas of the individual cells there were revealed a plastic layer of cell wall and a basal membrane. However, in difference to bacterial forms of the vibryos, rigidity of the cell wall was disturbed, and the links between the cell wall and the cytoplasmic membrane were indetectable. There were regularly revealed lamellar of myelin-like membranous structures in the cytoplasm, which did not occur in bacterial forms, and also lamellar mesosomes. The latter were found in the sites of cell division. Viability of small bodies as the minimal reproductive forms of the L-cultures is confirmed by the presence in them of a nucleoid and of the binary division.


[The effect of external stimuli on movement of Asterias amurensis starfish]. Studies have been made on local and total motor reactions of the starfish to stimuli of different modalities. It is suggested that differences in the pattern  of papillae excitation and those in total reactions to salt, mechanical stimulation and changes in the intensity of illumination are associated with structural and functional heterogeneity of receptors and afferent pathways in the lower regular layer of the nervous plexus. The ability of segment motoneurons to change the direction of tube feet movement in absence of influences from the nervous ring was demonstrated. Possible scheme of control of pedicellar movement evoked by external stimulation is discussed.


[Pathogenicity of nonagglutinating vibrios]. In studying the pathogenicity of nonagglutinating vibrios it was established that the majority of the strains isolated from the patients suffering from enteritis possessed enteropathogenic properties which were revealed in the trials on nursling rabbits and on the isolated intestinal loop a of an adult rabbit. In difference to the cholera vibryos, these microorganisms produced no typical cholerogenicity syndrome expressing, however, a number of enteropathogenic properties: caused diarrhea, overfilling of the intestine with fluid, etc. Autopsy showed a typical enterocolitis picture, confirmed by histological studies. Nonagglutinating vibrio cultures isolated from the water and from healthy persons possessed no enteropathogenic properties. An isolated intestinal loop of an adult rabbit proved to be the most sensitive experimental model.


[Analysis of a group of Corynebacterium by numerical taxonomic methods]. Strains (29) of Corynebacterium genus were studied with the use of the method of numerical taxonomy. 48 characteristics (including morphological, tinctorial, cultural and biochemical ones) were analyzed. All the strains tested proved to belong to the same taxon. The present method permitted to reveal various biotypes within the group studied.


Effect of modification on physico-chemical and biological properties of haptoglobin. Acetylation, iodination and nitration. Human haptoglobin (Hp) type 2-1 was modified with N-acetylimidazole, iodine or tetranitromethane (TNM), and the ability of the obtained derivatives to form with haemoglobin (Hb) complexes with peroxidase activity, was estimated. At low reagent to protein molar ratios, 11 tyrosine residues were nitrated, 12 acetylated and 13 iodinated. The biological activity of NO2-Hp and I-Hp amounted to 40% of the activity of native Hp whereas the activity of Ac-Hp only to 16%. The derivatives modified at high ratios of N-acetylimidazole or iodine lost the ability to bind with Hb. Deacylation. of tyrosines and partial liberation of acetylated xi-amino groups resulted in partial recovery of the activity. As demonstrated by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the modification of Hp with high excess of TNM or iodine induced polymer formation


Role of Mn2+ in the reaction of polynucleotide phosphorylase with 2'-O-methylated substrates. Polymerization of 2'-O-methylcytidine-5'-diphosphate (CmDP) with polynucleotide phosphorylase in the presence of Mn2+ proceeds with 65% yield after 72 h, and in the presence of Mg2+ the yield does not exceed 10%. Phosphorolysis of poly 2'-O-methylcytidylic acid and poly 2'-O-methyluridylic acid, as well as exchange of the beta-phosphate group of CmDP in the presence of Mn2+ and Mg2+, proceed with a yield of only a few percent. A possible mechanism of Mn2+ action on CmDP polymerization is discussed.


[Microbial 3-O-demethylation and 3-O-methylation of estratrienes]. Estradiol-3-methylether, estrone-3-methylether, 17alpha-ethinyl-estradiol-3-methylether and other 17alpha-substituted estratrienes were 3-O-demethylated to free 3-hydroxy compounds by fermentation with Corynebacterium sp. A hydroxy groupp in position 6alpha or 6beta prevented the reaction. The opposite reaction, methylation of the 3-hydroxy group of estratrienes, was performed using Mycobacterium smegmatis. The substrate specifity of this methylation was low. Analogies of these microbial reactions to steroid metabolism in mammalian organism are discussed.


[Kinetic studies on long-chain alcohol turnover by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase within the transition from real solution to emulsion or suspension]. The enzymatic oxidation of hexanol, decanol, and tetradecanol by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase was studied. The enzyme was found to catalyze not only conversion in the real aqueous solution of the substrates, but also at the surface of undissolved substrate particles. The kinetic parameters varied on transition from the real solution to dispersion, in dependence on the chain length of the substrate.


[Structure of animal ribosomes. VI. Adynamic model of ribosome structure]. A dynamic model for the structure of ribosomes is developed using X-ray small-angle scattering data and electron micrographs of ribosomes and polysomes. The large subunit has the shape of a conical frustum, and has a groove at its flat side. The small subunit consists of two semiparticles which are connected by a molecular strand; it may assume two conformations: a prolate P conformation and an oblate O conformation. Translocation of the ribosome along the mRNA in the elongation process of protein synthesis is accomplished by cyclic conformation transitions P-O-P-O in combination with the linking and rupturing of bonds. This mechanism is called "rack and roll" mechanism.


[A simple method for the evaluation of differences in averaged evoked potentials as demonstrated of visual evoked potentials changed through hippocampal stimulation]. A simple method is presented which by subtraction of amplitudes of averaged evoked potentials (AEP) within regular time-intervals enables us to estimate differences in the course of the potential. First results demonstrate that all parts of the potential may be influenced and that most striking differences must not necessarily occur in the peak region of the AEP. The late negative complex of the AEP is likely to be a result of summation of some subcomponents, which may be altered differently. The method presented allows exact measurements of each of them.


[Hemoglobin and hem protein complexes in mammal sera. 1. Starch gel electrophoretic studies]. In the sera pig, cattle, rabbit and guinea pig, only uniform Hemoglobin-Haptoglobin fraction but several heme-hemopexin fractions, could be demonstrated for each species in starch gel electrophoretic studies. Heme binding by albumin was also observed, though to a varying degree, being most pronounced for the guinea pig. The protection mechanism against hemoglobin and iron losses from the organism of the animals investigated allows far-reaching parallels with that of man.


[Coupling characteristics of minute-rhythmic oscillations of physiological functions under acute therapy with diazepam]. In 9 students the ECG, the respirogram, the EOG, the auditomotor and optomotor reaction times, and the reproduction of 10-digit numbers from the immediate memory (repeated at intervals of 15 sec) were investigated in 25 experiments of 20 min prior to and following p.o. application of 7.5-10 mg diazepam. The autocorrelation function and the power spectrum from about 200 time series were computed, and the frequencies found were verified in the range from 0.2-2.0 min-1. From all possible digit number relations of frequencies (restricted by definite criteria) between the investigated physiological oscillations, the portion of realized synchronizations was calculated as the degree of coupling. The minute-rhythmic coupling degree was found to increase significantly from 41 to 59 per cent under acute influence of diazepam. The heart rate, the respiratory rate and the reaction times did not change significantly. The immediate reproduction power proved significantly diminished. The results are discussed in regard to the facilitated rhythmic synchronization connected with an anxiolytic tranquilizing and sedative-hypmotic action of diazepam.


[Quantitative evaluation of neurovegetative systemic changes based on the degree of minute-rhythmic coupling and control quality in acute and chronic diazépam therapy of neuroses]. In 10 patients with definite forms of neurosis, controlphysiologic and biorhythmometric investigations were carried out to establish the effectiveness of diazepam therapy. After acute application of 10 mg diazepam, an increase in the degree of minute-rhythmic coupling correlated positively with a decrease of the control area, of the time adjustment of the heart rate after load-related deflection, and with an increase in a derived complex parameter of control quality. Chronic therapy with diazepam reversed the positive tendency of the biorhythmometric and control parameters. The results permit the conclusion that the minute-rhythmic coupling degree lends itself to diagnostic evaluation of the actual synchronization state or the related neurovegetative reaction state.


Purification and properties of cellobiose: quinone oxidoreductase from Sporotrichum pulverulentum. Cellobiose: quinone oxidoreductase was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, SP-Sephadex C-50 chromatography, and hydroxylapatite column chromatography. The purified enzyme is homogeneous by ultracentrifugal and SDS-gel electrophoretic analyses. The enzyme is a flavoprotein with FAD as the prosthetic group and produces cellobiono-delta-lactone as the product of cellobiose oxidation. Cellopentaose is also oxidized but no oxidation of cellulose could be detected. The enzyme oxidizes lactose and 4-beta-glucosylmannose but not 4-beta-mannosylglucose which implicates the C-2-hydroxyl of the non-reducing end of the disaccharide as important for substrate specificity.


[Mechanism of ulcers].

[Mechanism of ulcers]. The mechanical causes playing a role in the pathogenesis of ulcers were investigated. It was found that the severity of ulcers formed on an epithelium which had lost its elasticity due to the impairment of blood supply is directly proportional to the size of ulcer and to the tensile stress acting upon it.


Normal serum albumin transfer from blood to small intestine and its role in albumin breakdown. 131I-albumin transfer into isolated segments of the small intestine has been determined following the intravenous injection of human 131I-albumin in 23 dogs. The importance of different intestinal segments in the normal degradation of albumin has been established. The slope of the serum disappearance curve was unaltered with proves that the applied technique had no damaging effect. Albumin leakage was not uniform in the whole length of the small intestine. It was highest in the duodenum (0.241 +/- 0.014 ml/10 cm intestine/hour). This was followed by the jejunum (0.142 +/- 0.022 ml/10 cm intestine/hour), and the smallest vally quantity of albumin leakage corresponded to a plasma volume of 14.49 ml in the duodenum, 27.16 ml in the jejunum, and to 23.76 ml in the ileum. The relationship of albumin leakage and catabolism revealed that protein bound activity (transferred and regained) in the dudodenum, in spite of the shortness of this section of the intestine, was responsible for 11.72 +/- 1.70% of total catabolism, that in the jejunum for 21.28 +/- 3.69%, and that in the ileum for 19.24 +/- 3.64%. The sum of the catabolism of the three intestinal segments yielded 52.26 +/- 6.65% of the total catabolism. After correction with a proteolytic factor, this value was 68.44%. Our examinations have established that the small intestine is the main region of normal albumin breakdown.


Effect of acute intestinal obstruction on the leakage of albumin from blood into the small intestine. The effect of a simple, low intestinal obstruction has been investigated in dogs on the leakage of 131I-serum albumin from the circulation into the intestine. An increase leakage has been demonstrated. In the distended segment of the intestine above that ligation a significant increase in protein-bound radioactivity, from the normal value of 0.082 plus or minus 0.012 ml/10 cm intestine/hour to 0.276 plus or minus 0.068 ml/10 cm intestine/hour, was obseved which means a more than 3fold increase. The values for albumin leakage did not change in the more proximal segments of the intestine less involved in the distension namely in the duodenum and the jejunum, furthermore in the ileal segment below the ligation. The increase in albumin liadage observed during intestinal obstruction resulted in 33% rise of total catabolism.


[Explorative laparotomy].

[Explorative laparotomy]. In the 10 year surgical material of the authors the incidence of explorative laparotomy was 9.3%. In the 850 exposures the findings of 263 patients were negative. Of the 263 cases, 207 are analyzed in detail, including the history, laboratory results and findings during operation. At follow-up, in 41% of the patient the pain had ceased, while in 30% it improved. A mortality of 0.51% could be ascribed directly to the exploration. It is concluded that explorative laparotomy is an indispensable and useful procedure.


In situ preformed auto-alloplastic replacement in the treatment of femoropopliteal vascular obstruction. A method of in situ preformed auto-alloplastic replacement for the treatment of long femoro-poplitela vascular obstructions is described on the basis of highly promising experimental results. A macropouous tube made of aplastic net and obturated with a silicone rubber mandril was implanted next to the obstructed vascular section. The two ends of the live auto-alloplastic tube formed in situ around the mandril were joined in a second operation to the femoral and popliteal arteries. Early experience is described on grounds of four cases, together with the current and possible future indications of the operation.


[Priapism].

[Priapism]. The data of patients treated for priapism in the Department of Urology of Semmelveis University Medical School between 1951 and 1971 are analyzed. Eleven patients were hospitalized and three were outpatients. After a brief survey of the literature, mechanism, aetiology and treatment of the condition are discussed. In the majority of the patients after the cessation of priapism sexual libido returned as a rule without the appearance of erection. Three cases are briefly described. In four patients after some time partial erection and orgasm was experienced under mechanical influence. Two of these patients had married and have children.


[Composition of renal calculi in Hungary]. Quantitative thermal analysis was carried out of 2300 calculi collected in Hungary. These included diverse mono-, di- and trimineral stones, spontaneously excreted and surgically removed whewellite and weddellite calculi. There percentage distribution among male, female and children patients, the regularities in the composition of mixed calculi and the incidence of falsifications are discussed in detail.


[Anemia of chronically hemodialyzed patients]. The correlation between the circulating erythrocyte count, and the NPN level, the number of performed dialyses and the quantity of transfused blood was investigated in 10 patients subjected to haemodialysis for more than six months. No evaluable relationship was found between the circulating erythrocyte count and the NPN level and the number of dialyses. Though the majority of patients had received more transfusions than usual, their anaemia persisted. The quantity of transfused blood can considerably be reduced by carefully chosen indications.


Hyperaemia of the calf after arterial reconstruction for lower limb atherosclerosis. A study with mercury strain gauge plethysmography. Postoperative hyperaemia in the calf was studied in 25 patients successfully operated for obstructing atherosclerosis of the lower limbs. The calf flow was measured by strain gauge plethysmography. No difference in the preoperative calf flow between the patients and the control group was found. The flow at rest in the operated limb increased to a maximum on the 5th postoperative day, at which time it was 2.4 times the flow in the control leg. A significant correlation was found between the postoperative hyperaemia and the preoperative ankle pressure. These findings support the theory of Husni & Manion (1966), that there is a greater postoperative hyperaemia in patients with severe atherosclerosis. No significant correlation was found between the postoperative hyperaemia on the one hand and (1) the preoperative arterial flow increase after reconstruction, (2) the maximum flow increase in the artery after intra-arterial injection of papaverin or (3) clinical symptoms and angiographic findings on the other.


Foot-volumetry before and after surgical treatment of patients with varicose veins. The present study reports the changes of foot volume and venous reflux in a material of 20 cases with varicose veins after radical surgery as assessed by a new method (foot-volumetry). Parameters characterizing venous reflux (incompetent valves) were reduced by a factor of 0.3-0.7 following surgery. These changes were statistically significant. Some remaining abnormality can be explained by concomitant residual deep venous insufficiency. The result of the examination supports the opinion that foot-volumetry is a valuable method for examination of patients with venous insufficiency.


Bile acid pattern of gallbladder and hepatic bile in patients with and without cholesterol gallstones. Bile acid composition of hepatic and gallbladder bile was examined in a group of 18 patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis and a control group consisting of 13 patients with healed duodenal ulcers. Bile specimens were taken during laparotomy. Molar concentrations of the different bile acids in hepatic and gallbladder bile were determined. The ratios between the molar concentrations of the different bile acids were calculated. In order to compare these molar ratios in hepatic and gallbladder bile the quotients between identical molar ratios of hepatic and gallbladder bile were calculated in each subject. Bile acid concentration of the gallbladder bile was found to be lower in the gallstone patients. Trihydroxy or dihydroxy bile acid molar ratio was lower in the gallstone group. Hepatic to gallbladder relative trihydroxy to dihydroxy and cholate to deoxycholate bile acid ratios were elevated in the gallstone patients. This might indicate that an increased formation of deoxycholate is the main cause for the decreased trihydroxy to dihydroxy bile acid molar ratio observed in the gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones.


Pancreatico-jejunostomy in chronic pancreatitis. An appraisal of 29 cases. Pancreatico-jejunostomy end to side after resection of the pancreatic tail, or side to side following longitudinal cleaving of the pancreatic duct, was performed in 29 patients suffering from chronic relapsing or acute recurring pancreatitis. A follow-up study with observation time ranging from 6 months to 10 years is presented. The patients were allotted to three groups according to the severity and extent of the inflammatory involvement at operation. The diagnostic findings obtained at the preoperative evaluation correlated well to these groupings. In some patients, however, the inflammatory process was mainly confined to the ductal system, as revealed by pancreatography, while in others the changes were most marked in the parenchyma, as found at histologic examination. 21 caudal pancreatico-jejunostomies and 8 longitudinal anastomoses were performed. Overall results were excellent in 20 patients, good in 6, fair in 3, and poor in none. The rate of postoperative complications was low; no mortality, one spontaneously healed anastomosis insufficiency, subphrenic abscess developed in 2 instances and postoperative diabetes in 5. Only one patient had a recurrent attack of acute pancreatitis postoperatively. Re-anastomosis was successfully performed.


Suture line ulcers after gastric surgery. Four cases of suture line ulcers after gastric surgery caused by nonabsorbable suture material are presented. The literature is reviewed, and a plea ia made for the use of absorbable suture materials in gastrointestinal surgery.


Reversible ureteral stenosis as a delayed complication of operation on the colon and rectum. A non-direct ureteral lesion following operations on the colon and rectum is described. The complication was observed 10 to 64 days postoperatively, and is characterized by a unilateral or bilateral, relatively long stenosis. A total of 8 cases are presented: 7 of ulcerative colitis and one, a rectal prolapse. The main symptoms were unilateral abdominal or lumbar pain, moderate fever, and a pronounced ureteral stenosis revealed at i.v. urography. In 7 cases, full restitution occurred after antibiotic treatment, supplied by ureteral catheterisation in 4 cases, while operation was necessary in one case. The discrepancy between the seriousness of the roentgenological picture and the good final result of conservative treatment was striking.


Spontaneous aortoduodenal fistula. Report of a case. Spontaneous aortoduodenal fistula is a rare disease. The characteristic clinical picture is a pulsating tumour in the upper abdomen, repeated moderate haemorrhages often combined with severe epigastralgia. The patient very seldom succumbs because of a large first haemorrhage, and there is often time for roentgenologic examinations. The present paper described a case where the diagnosis could not be established until autopsy in spite of angiographic investigation because of clinical suspicion. The only way to treat a patient with any hope of curing him is to perform a grafting of the aorta and suture of the duodenum.


Splenic-gonadal fusion. A case report.

Splenic-gonadal fusion. A case report. A case of splenic-gonadal fusion is described. In this case, as in most cases reported previously, the malformation was discovered accidentally. An ectopic spleen attached to the left testis is a rare differential diagnosis to left-sided testicular tumour.


Foetal connective tissue regeneration. A biochemical study in rabbits. Foetal connective tissue regeneration was studied by implanting 3 x 10 mm cylindrical viscose cellulose sponges subcutaneously in foetal, newborn, and full-grown rabbits. The implants were removed 2 to 7 days later, the foetal implants all being removed after delivery, and were analysed biochemically. In foetal implants a rapid accumulation of soluble forms of collagen took place, while the relative amount of other tissue proteins remained rather low. Connective tissue regeneration of the newborns ressembled, in this respect, that of the full-growns. The results suggest an enhanced production of miniature type collagen in the context of foetal connective tissue regeneration.


Femoral head replacement with the christiansen endoprosthesis. A follow-up study, and a report on 175 arthroplasties with the present model of the prosthesis with acrylic cement fixation. A review of the experience gained after 300 consecutive femoral head replacements using the Christiansen Endoprosthesis is given. The arthroplasties were performed mainly for fresh, displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients and for complications of these fractures, such as pseudarthrosis and aseptic necrosis. The patient material is divided into 2 groups. Group 1: Patients who had the older prosthesis model with plastic capitulum pieces inserted, and Group 2: Patients who had the present prosthesis model with metal-capped capitulum pieces inserted together with acrylic cement fixation. While the results initially were promising in the first group, a longer follow-up was very disappointing. Wear of the plastic material resulted in a pronounced foreign body synovitis with pain and reduced mobility. Furthermore, there were osteolysis and fractures related to the prosthesis in a great number of patients observed for more than 2 years. This led to a change in the construction of the capitulum piece of the prosthesis which was now equipped with a metal cap and to the use of acrylic cement fixation of the shaft piece. The follow-up results in these patients (Group 2) have been most encouraging, with absence of the above-mentioned complications after up to 6 years' observation. The mortality and complications encountered are discussed. It is concluded that femoral head replacement on the indications outlined, using the present prosthesis model with acrylic cement fixation, represents a very good alternative in the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures and their complications.


Diagnostic features of the fat embolism syndrome. A series of 444 patients with multiple blunt injuries were analysed with respect to the incidence of symptoms and signs generally described in connection with the fat embolism syndrome. During hospital treatment, a diagnosis of fat embolism was established for 47 patients and suspected in 23 patients. In retrospect, the latter patients had a morbid picture similar to that of the former. Hypoxia, anemia, disturbances of consciousness, and hyperpyrexia were constant signs. A high incidnece of petechiae and snowstorm infiltrations of the lung was also found. These six signs showed a marked tendency to combine; and placed the fat embolism patients in a distinctive group. The most susceptible patients were young adults with diaphyseal fractures of the lower extremities. Hypoxia was the most important early sign and the most important factor in terms of treatment. We conclude that the fact embolism syndrome is a clinical entity and that its diagnosis can be made on the basis of the symptom complex.


Orthotopic transplantation of alogeneic canine conjunctiva. In previous papers it has been shown that simultaneous transplantation of conjunctiva to the corneal-scleral region, and skin to the inside of the pinna will afford good opportunities to follow both the onset and the terminal phase of the allograft reaction. It has also been stated that conjunctiva grafted alone will have a longer survival time (12.1 days), than when grafted simultaneously with skin (7.5 days). In order to find out whether the localization to the corneal-scleral region per se had anything to do with this prolongation of the survival time, conjunctiva was grafted in 8 dogs to the palpebral surface of the nictitating membrane, i.e. more peripherally in the type used as grafts in previous experiments were weighed and examined histologically to compare the "tissue doses" --quantitatively and quanlitatively--transferred to the recipient when transplanting conjunctiva plus skin, or conjunctiva alone. Conjunctiva alone grafted to the nictitating membrane had a mean survival time of 10.5 days which does not significantly differ from the mean survival time of conjunctiva grafted to the cornealscleral region. Various possible reasons for the significantly prolonged survival time of conjunctiva alone, compared with that of conjunctiva when grafted with skin, are discussed in some detail. The author suggests that the most likely explanation of the prolonged survival time of the conjunctival grafts applied alone is that this operation means transfer of an antigen dose so low that the mobilization of the immune defence system is delayed.


Dexon for sutures and ligatures.

Dexon for sutures and ligatures. Dexon has been used in 375 operations of various types on 360 patients. No wound infection was observed in the group of 'clean' cases. As Dexon is absorbed completely but relatively slowly and at an even rate, it can even be used in most instances instead of non-absorbable suture and ligature materials. When used for sutures and ligatures in operations of various types, Dexon costs about the same as catgut.


Reactive hyperaemia in the hind limbs of rabbits. Reactive hyperaemia was measured with electromagnetic flowmetry of the terminal aorta in rabbits. The aorta was occluded just above the bifurcation for periods from 10 seconds to 5 minutes. Maximal flow and recovery time of reactive hyperaemia increased significantly with increasing periods of circulatory arrest. Percentual repayment was higher after brief occlusions (10-30 seconds) than after long occlusions (1-5 minutes), when a percentual repayment of about 40% was found. A slight decrease of ascending aortic flow was observed when reactive hyperaemia was induced in the hind limbs. Several mechanisms may play a part in reactive hyperaemia, and the relative importance of the different mechanisms may vary with the length of occlusion.


Reactive hyperaemia in the hind limbs of rabbits. II. The effect of changes in oxygen tension and temperature. The effect on reactive hyperaemia of variations in oxygen content of the inspired air and in tissue temperature, was studied by electromagnetic flowmetry in the hind limbs of rabbits. Flowmetry was used together with oxygen polarography to compare recovery time of blood flow and recovery time of oxygen tension in muscle tissue during reactive hyperaemia. After occlusions lasting more than 10 seconds; recovery time of oxygen tension was much shorter than recovery time of blood flow. Breathing of different oxygen concentrations induced relatively small changes of reactive hyperaemia. After increasing tissue temperature all variables of reactive hyperaemia were reduced following 10-60 seconds' occlusion. On the other hand, after 5 minutes' occlusion percentual repayment and recovery time increased significantly. During hypothermia, percentual repayment and recovery time were reduced significantly after 5 minutes' occlusion. Thus, the time-response curves for percentual repayment and recovery time during hyper-and hypothermia crossed each other when occlusion time was extended beyond 60 seconds. Normalization of oxygen tension when blood flow was still increased seems to exclude that oxygen deficiency per se is the only cause of reactive hyperaemia. Oxygen deficiency may be a contributory factor in the initiation of vasodilation during circulatory arrest and may possibly be of importance in the first part of reactive hyperaemia. The results of changing the tissue temperature suggested that metabolites which are accumulated during circulatory arrest, maintain the increased blood flow, at least after release of longer occlusions.


Venous gangrene.

Venous gangrene. Venous gangrene is not a common disease. It develops as the extreme, irreversible phase of total thrombosis of the veins of an extremity. The literature is reviewed and 7 new cases are reported. Symptomatology, aetiology, pathogenesis and treatment are discussed. It is concluded that there is a significant causative relationship between malignant disease and venous gangrene.


Constriction of the femoral vein following inguinal hernia repair. The present paper describes constriction of the femoral vein following hernioplasty ad modum McVay. In five cases, constriction of the femoral vein was demonstrated by phelbography, and pulmonary embolism by pulmonary scintigraphy. It is suggested that a number of postoperative thromboembolisms following hernia repair are caused by a unobserved constriction of the femoral vein. Moreover, constriction of the femoral vein following hernia repair occurs in a number of cases without thromboembolism.


Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. Report of eleven cases. Rupture of the diaphragm is an unusual injury following blunt abdominal trauma. Due to its rather discrete initial symptoms, the diaphragmatic rupture is frequently overlooked in the acute stage. Of 11 patients operated on, only four ruptures were detected in association with the accident. The clinical picture was dominated by the patient's other injuries. Symptoms referable to the diaphragmatic rupture were pain in the upper abdomen and dyspnoea, especially in the recumbent position. The diagnosis was usually established by serial chest roentgenography, in a few cases supplemented by barium contrast studies, angiography or air insufflation in the abdomen (pneumoperitoneum). In the initial phase, an elevated and paradoxically moving diaphragm was usually seen on the injured side. Later, hermiation of viscera into the chest ensued, causeing respiratory impairment and, in about half of the cases, also gastro-intestinal disturbances. Early operation is advised in all cases of diaphragmatic rupture. Late complications are then avoided and the repair is technically easier to perform. In the presence of associated intra-abdominal injuries, e.g. rupture of the spleen, an abdominal incision is preferred. In isolated diaphragmatic ruptures, particularly in the late phase, the operation is more easily carried out through a low thoracotomy. The diaphragmatic rupture should be repaired with interrupted non-absorbable sutures--otherwise a risk of recurrence exists.


The proteolytic proenzymes in the peritoneal exudate during acute experimental pancreatitis of the rat. Precursors of proteolytic enzymes were demonstrated in the peritoneal inflammatory exudate during acute experimental pancreatitis of the rat. This was done by separating the proteinase inhibitors and proenzymes by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. After elution the proenzymes could be demonstrated by activating them with enterokinase or with trypsin. The proenzymes were eluted after the main protein bulk and proteinase inhibitors. Enzyme precursors were absent from the exudate of formalin-induced peritonitis, which suggests that the proenzymes present in the exudate of pancreatitis are of pancreatic origin. The demonstration of proenzymes in perripheral blood during pancreatitis was tested with the several modifications of the same methods, but the results were not convincing, probably owing to the insensitivity of the methods used.


The effect of intravenous glucose on pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion in man. The effect of intravenous glucose on pentagastrin-induced submaximal gastric acid secretion was invesgated in 8 patients with uncomplicated duodenal ulcer and normal glucose tolerance. 50 ml of a 50% glucose solution, injected over approximately 3 minutes, was completely without effect on volume, acidity, and acid output. These findings seem to rule out the possibility that the marked inhibition earlier demonstrated after intrajejunal glucose is caused by hyperglycemia.


Late occurrence of precancerous changes and carcinoma of the gastric stump after Billroth II resection. In a prospective study, patients resected for benign ulcer disease 20 years previously were followed up. Of 100 patients operated with anterior gastro-jejunal anastomosis and entero-anastomosis 51 were examined with gastroscopy and multiple biopsies taken from the stoma and gastric fundus. Acute and chronic inflammation of varying degrees were general findings. Single or multiple polyp-like changes at the stomal ring were found in 4 cases and in one patient an asymptomatic low differentiated, adenocarcinoma was found. Intestinal metaplasia and cystic dilatation of the gastric glands were most frequently found in the stomal biopsies and less frequent in biopsies taken from the gastric fundus. In order to evaluate these possibly precancerous changes all patients will be continuously controlled. Nineteen patients were dead at the time of the follow-up. One of these had died of carcinoma of the gastric remnant.


Analyses of small bowel propulsion, ileo-caecal passage and serum gastrin after truncal vagotomy. A methodological study in the rat with continuous intraduodenal infusion. A test substance containing 51CrO--4 was administered to the duodenum of vagotomized or sham-operated, conscious rats for 5 hours at a rate of 3.3 mul/min. The distribution of 51Cr in the stomach, small bowel, caecum and colon was measured with a scintillation counter. Data reduction was made with automatic methods. The activity distribution in the small bowel was found to be irregular. A transit time of about 3 hours was observed between the duodenum and the caecum. The proximal 40% of the small bowel was passed in about 30 min at a constant rate. No differences between vaotomized animals and controls could be demonstrated. The passage from ileum to caecum in vagotomized animals indicated a process, with constant portions, each discharge containing about 11% of the total administered activity, implying two discharges per hour.


Anastomotic leakage following resention for cancer of the colon and rectum. A total of 270 concecutive patients were examined for anastomotic leakage following resection for cancer of the colon and rectum. A 2-layer anastomosis was established 215 cases and a 3-layer one in 43. Twelve patients underwent the resection during manifest ileus. The total frequency of anastomotic leakage after elective resections was 14% significantly higher in the left than in the right half of the colon, irrespective of the anastomotic technique used. Age and sex per se did not influence the frequency of leakage. On the other hand, the presence of various complications at admission (cardiopulmonary, weight loss, metabolic disorders and anaemia, hypoproteinaemia, or electrolyte disturbances) was attended by an increased frequency of anastomotic leaks after left-sided resections. Pallative resection as well as resection of left-side tumour during manifest ileus was accompanied by an increased frequency of anastomotic leakage. There was also an increased tendency for leakage to occur when left-sided tumours were treated by a temporary defunctioning caecostomy rather than by transverse colostomy.


Endocrine control of skeletal robusticity. Changes of skeletal robusticity result from a mosaic response of various parts of the skeleton to given endocrine changes. The character of these reactions corresponds to that of muscles which act as selective target areas for specific hormones. Robusticity changes are mediated by increases or decreases of the length and weight of the bones. The changes are probably species- or even subspecies-specific.


Biology of the rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator) in a laboratory environment. VII. Pre-weaning growth of the body. Body growth using weight and length parameters have been examined following the introduction of the rice rat to laboratory conditions and a history of breeding covering some 15 generations. The pattern of growth shows a characteristic enphasic form which appears to be determined by the interplay of the external environment and the genetic endowment. The external environmental factors include the waxing and waning of the lactational performance of the mother and the intake of solid food, resulting in the first phase being mainly controlled by the maternal environment, the second phase being mainly controlled by a lessening maternal environment + external (solid food) environment + some genetics, the third phase being influenced by external environment + genetic endowment.


Effect of sex steroids on the male reproductive organs of the monitor lizard Varanus monitor (Linn.). Exogenous sex steroids were administered to adult males of the monitor lizard Varanus during the retrogressive and inactive phases of their annual reproductive cycle. Androgen treatment renews spermatogenetic activity and causes an increase in the number of Leydig cells of the testis during the retrogressive phase; during the inactive phase the testicular response to androgen is only slight. In either reproductive phase oestradiol treatment has an inhibitory action on the germ tubules. Progesterone has no effect on the testis in the inactive phase. The vasa deferentia are well developed during the retrogressive phase and thus the effect of androgens is not appreciable. However, during the inactive phase testosterone highly stimulates the deferent ducts. In the inactive phase oestrogen and progesterone also seem to stimulate slightly the deferent tubules; progesterone increases the interstitial tissue of the deferent ducts. Renal sexual segments hypertrophy and become secretory by androgen treatment in either phase of the reproductive cycle, whereas oestrogen and progesterone have no effect. The hemipenes are also stimulated by androgen treatment.


[Diagnosis of chimerism based on blood group determination]. The authors report the results of blood group determinations in a 9-year-old girl in whom two populations of erythrocytes were discovered. The larger population accounting for nearly 80% of erythrocytes contained the antigen A2, the smaller population had the B antigen. Besides that differences were observed in the antigens of Duffy and Lewis systems. In the saliva A and H antigens were revealed. Familial investigations indicated the participation of two gametes of maternal origin (mother--AB, father--O) although no evidence of twin pregnancy was available. The cause of this chimaerism has not been explained.


[The nucleus of the posterior pallial commissure in Lacerta sicula (Rafinesque) and its ontogenetic connection to the thalamus]. The nucleus of the posterior pallial commissure of Lacerta sicula originates between the 11th and 18day of incubation. During this time, the developing nucleus shows a distinct and wellformed cellular connection with the rostral, dorsally lying ventral thalamus. The whole connecting nuclear mass lies close to the matrix of the diencephalic and telencephalic ventricle and the connecting foramen interventriculare. It is evident that cells which originate from the the ventral thalamus are possibly delivered to the telencephalic nucleus of the posterior pallial commissure. The cellular connection between thalamus and hemisphere ruptures between the 18th and 19th day of incubation as a result of growth displacement and is no longer visible in later stages.


[Availability of the 3rd platelet factor in healthy children]. In 34 healthy children at school-age the availability of the 3rd platelet factor was determined using plasma of mean concentrations of 100 000 and 342 000 platelets/mm3.  The concentration of 100 000 platelets/mm3 gives very approximate results to those obtained with the higher concentration. Both curves of availability of this factor showed many features in common. The highest activity of the factor was observed from 0 to 10--15 min. of the incubation and after this peak it decreased gradually. The authors present and discuss the types of curves indicating physiological values.


[Retrograde degeneration of the pyramidal cells in the motor cortex of apes (Macaca fascicularis)]. In three adult macaques the retrograde degeneration of cell bodies in the motor cortex was investigated 6 months after unilateral pyramidal tract section. Large and small Betz cells of the fifth layer were identified microscopically and counted. The analysis of the data reveals that after pyramidotomy, (1) contrary to our expectations from the extent of the pyramidal lesions, a surprising percentage of undegenerated Betz cells remains in the contralateral motor cortex, (2) a greater percentage of small rather than large cell survives, and (3) the greatest loss of cells is in the foot region, the smallest in the face region. The results are discussed in relation to the role of pyramidal axon collaterals in the survival of cell bodies, and the distinction between pyramidal cells and pyramidal tract cells.


[Burkitt's lymphoma].

[Burkitt's lymphoma]. Modern views on the problem of Burkitt's lymphoma are discussed and an own case is described.


Regeneration of nasopharyngeal epithelium in Macaca fascicularis. Regeneration of the nasopharyngeal epithelium in Macaca fascicularis occurs as a result of migration of epithelial cells from the margins of the lesions as well as from the neighbouring glandular ducts and epithelial crypts. The study further reveals that the basal cells are the progenitors of both goblet and ciliated cells. The regenerating epithelium at first consists of mucus-containing cells which are finally converted into normal globlet and ciliated cells. The formation of centrioles and concurrent reduction in the amount of 'mucus' droplets, and rearrangement of centrioles towards the luminal surface of the cells along with simultaneous development of cilia in some of these mucus-containing cells are stages in the differentiation of ciliated cells. However, some cells which do not possess secretory droplets may also develop into ciliated cells directly.


Development of lymphoid tissue in a marsupial, Setonix brachyurus (quokka). The development of the lymphoid tissues in a macropod marsupial is described. The liver is the only functional haemopoietic tissue at birth. Large lymphocytes first appear in the cervical thymus at 2 days, and in the thoracic thymus at 4 days after birth. Small lymphocytes appear 1-2 days later. The histological development of the two glands is similar, but the thoracic thymus develops much more slowly than the cervical. The appearance of Hassall's corpuscles in both thymus glands correlates with the onset of humoral immune responses in this animal. Lymph nodes first appear as aggregates of lymphocytes around the lymphatic vessels at 5 days, differentiate into cortex and medulla at about 14 days, but do not develop germinal centres until about 90 days. Small lymphocytes are not observed in the spleen until the 2nd week, and reactive centres do not appear until after 90 days of pouch life. Peyer's patches are not found until 60 days of age. Large lymphocytes are seen in the bone marrow at 14 days, but small lymphocytes are not found until the 1st month. Although the sequence of lymphoid development is similar to that seen in other animals, the rapidly with which it becomes functional suggests that it is an adaptive response to early contact with environment pathogens.


[Electrical potential of blood lymphocytes]. Lymphocytes of the fresh blood have a negative potential inside in relation to the extracellular medium. The value of the transmembrane potential depends on the concentration of potassium and chloride ions in the extracellular medium.


[A comparison of mean weights and the variability of weights of twelve bilateral muscles of the Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) studied in four generations of consanguine crosses]. The influence of the increase of the degree of homozygosity, obtained by successive consanguine cross-breeding, on the mean weights and the variability of the weights of twelve muscles of the Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) was studied in four generations of females and two generations of males. It was found that the mean weights of the twelve muscles in both sexes showed a progressive reduction in the consecutive generations of consanguine crosses, this reduction being more marked in the males than in the females. These results support the hypotheses of Haldane and Lerner that heterozygotes are at an advantage, having a more active metabolism and a greater rate of growth, because their richer biochemical system and greater number of alleles coding the enzymes enables them to benefit from their environment to a greater extent and within wider limits. The rates of decrease vary from one muscle to the other within the limits of 5.3 and 16.6%. For certain muscles there are also notable differences between males and females. Contrary to the hypothesis that could be formed at first sight, the variability in weight increases considerably, in almost all cases, when the degree of homozygosity increases. Here again quite considerable differences are found in the evolution of the variability with the degree of homozygosity, from one muscle to the other and also between the two sexes. Comparison of the mean weight of the left and right elements of the bilateral muscles shows no significant preponderance. It was found, however, that slight asymmetries observed in the different groups of different consanguinity tend to be in the same direction for a given muscle. The variability of the weights of the left and right elements does not seem to be influenced by the degree of homozygosity in the females; in the males, however, an increase in homozygosity increases the variability of the weights of the left and right elements in certain cases. The mean degree of humidity and the variability of the ratio wet weight/dry weight are not changed significantly by the degree of consanguinity in females. In the males, the variability in the degree of humidity is less in heterozygotes, an indication of their better capacity for homeostatic regulation. The reduction in the mean weights and the increase in variability as the degree of homozygosity increases shows the importance of the advantage of heterozygotes, which has a bearing on theories of the genetics of populations and their application in rearing, and particularly to selection techniques.


[The functional colonic sphincter in the rat]. In the proximal colon of the rat typically aligned mucosal folds are found which are displaceable but not erasable (transposable folds). The spatial arrangement of these folds produces a tierlike structure in this section of the intestine by the development of functional ring valves, which allow the flow of food in an oral to anal direction. The basis of these mucosal folds is formed by a vascular apparatus which is peculiar to them. The functional unit of the folds and their vascular apparatus is referred to as the 'angioplicate lock system'. A reversal of operation of even the smallest sections of this lock system inevitably produces a fatal ileus.


Intrinsic innervation of the urinary bladder of kangaroo and albino rats. A comparative study of the intrinsic innervation in desert rodents (kangaroo rats) and others (albino rats) was carried out in an attempt to understand the functional anatomy of the bladder in these animals which are known to sustain severe water restraint. The bladder of the albino rat was innervated by predominantly thin nerves, more numerous beaded endings and few ganglia. That of the kangaroo rat had more numerous thick nerves (pre-ganglionic), large verve trunks, and ganglia which were extensively distributed in the wall. These findings indicate that the bladder of the albino rat depends mainly on the intrinsic innervation and facilatory micturition reflexes, while that of the kangaroo rat is intrinsically regulated, depending on a short neuron system. It was concluded that all the structural differences found might be essential for constant urine retention.


Vascular remnants of pupillary membrane in the albino rat eye. As remnants of pupillary membrane, some albino rat eyes revealed vascular loops starting from arteriovenous bridges near the pupillary margin and crossing the pupil. These vascular loops bend in miosis and straighten in mydriasis, which prevents them from being broken during pupillary movement. The vessel wall reveals endothelial cells and pericytes. The lumen contains red blood cells, which means that they are functional vessels. They may function as vascular shunts between opposite sides of the albino rat iris.


Effect of carbon tetrachloride on gonadal physiology in male rats. Carbon tetrachloride was administered to male albino rats for varied intervals. It was found to have no significant adverse effect on spermatogenesis after 10 and 15 days of treatment. Severe damage to the spermatogenic cycle was observed after 20 days of treatment, leading to exfoliation of the germinal epithelium, depletion of germ cells, and shrinkage of the tubules.


Studies on dentin 2. transient vasodentin in the incisor teeth of a rodent (perognathus longimembris). Vascular inclusions regularly occur in the lingual dentin of the constantly erupting teeth of the pocket mouse (P. longimembris). The inclusion of a capillary loop and surrounding perivascular tissues is associated with odontoblasts whose cytodifferentiation is relatively immature. These same cells produce dentinal tubules which are more irregular in their course, more arborescent, with more lateral branches, wider in diameter and less numerous than are the tubules of the labial orthodentin. The patent vascular inclusions are surrounded by a broad halo of incompletely mineralized dentin. With further maturation complete obliteration of the vessels occurs, accompanied by complete dental matrix mineralization. A literature review supports the contention that vasodentinogenesis is related operationally to lower stages of odontoblastic cytodifferentiation although the processes by which this occurs are not yet clear.


The claustrum in the dog brain.

The claustrum in the dog brain. The structure of the claustrum was studied in the dog brain using Weigert's, Klüver-Barrera's, Manns' and Nissl's methods. It consists of two main parts arranged one above the other. The dorsal part is situated in the depth of the neocortex and extends from the gyrus orbitalis to the gyrus compositus posterior. The ventral part of the claustrum underlying the olfactory cortex continues from the cuadal fragments of the olfactory peduncle to the entorhinal area, where it fuses with its deep layers. The claustrum can be regarded as a fragment of a bigger cellular formation present in different parts of the hemisphere.


Relationship and possible function of the nasal sacs and glands of the one-humped camel, camelus dromedarius. The relationship between the lateral nasal gland and sacs of the maxillary recesses was investigated. The nasal sacs possess a well-defined aperture communicating with the nasal cavities. It was concluded that the sacs and not the body of the gland produce mucous secretions that moisten the inhaled dry air of the desert and may also act as reservoirs. A possible function of the body of the nasal gland is water economy by excretion of concentrated salts.


Electron-microscopic studies on developing intramural ganglia of the small intestine in human and rabbit fetuses. Electron-microscopic studies were made on the appearance of synapses in the intramural ganglion (Auerbach) and findings were correlated with the onset and development of intestinal peristalsis in 6- to 30-week-old human and rabbit fetuses from the 12th day after conception until birth. At stage I, in which the small intestine shows no indication of a muscle layer or spontaneous peristalsis, primitive synapses containing several clear vesicles and a few cored vesicles are seen on neuroblasts and their processes (dendrites). At stage II, in which the circular muscle is developed and bidirectional peristalsis occurs, synaptic profiles can be classified into 3 types. Type 1 is the most numerous but seldom shows membrane specificity on the synaptic portion. Types 2 and 3 have small flattened vesicles and small round vesicles, respectively. They are further characterized by thickening of snyaptic membranes and aggregation of small clear vesicles associated with the presynaptic membrane. At stage III, the longitudinal muscle layer develops in the small intestine. At this stage, nerve terminals containing mainly cored vesicles have been observed and classified into types 4 and 5, according to their morphology. At stage IV, antiperistalsis no longer occurs and type 6 nerve terminals in the intramural ganglia can be recognized by their densely packed, large-cored vesicles. The possible physiological significance of the nerve terminals has been discussed.


Early development of the cerebral vesicles in man. Two human embryos which were immediately before and soon after the appearance of the cerebral vesicle were cut into complete serial sections in almost the same direction and studied comparatively. The findings on these two sets of serial sections indicate that the rostral continuations of subthalamus and ventral thalamus along the ventral thalamic sulcus continuing from the sulcus limitans of the midbrain are destined to give rise to the formation of the cerebral vesicle. The rostral continuation of the subthalamus becomes the floor of the interventricular foramen, and that of the ventral thalamus the pallium. The rostral end of the continuation of the subthalamic matrix is not only the site of the beginning of evagination of the cerebral vesicle, but also the site of elevation of the ganglionic hill or striatum. As the evagination of the cerebral vesicle proceeds exceedingly dorsocaudolaterally from the rostral end of the continuation of the ventral thalamus, the elevation of the striatum occurs also in the same direction, getting in touch with the folding of the hemispheric stalk of Kuhlenbeck to enclose the interventricular foramen. Tt is noticed that, at the beginning of evagination, the grade of depression of the nasal pit was always parallel with that of evagniation of the cerebral vesicle.


Effects of iproniazid on chick development. New Hampshire eggs were injected with iproniazid into the yolk sac at day 2 of incubation by means of a tiny hole in the shell. A control group was injected with normal saline and a second group was left unopened. Iproniazid in the doses we used proved to be lethal for approximately 50% of the chick embryos, while we cannot demonstrate other developmental alterations, either in the macroscopical or in the serial histological study.


Ligament insertions into the human lumbar vertebral body. The insertion of the annulus fibrosus and of the perivertebral ligaments into the lumbar vertebral body is studied by histology and microradiography, in post-mortem human material from 0 to 34 years of age. The annulus lamellosus is attached to the edge ring, whose origin is endochondral, and ends in a calcified cartilage. The perivertebral ligaments are fixed to the cortex, that derives from those ligaments; they join the vertebral body via bundle bone.


Allometric study of the lachrymal and Harderian glands of the rat during postnatal life. The authors performed an allometric study of the growth of the rat's lachrymal and Harderian glands, during postnatal life. From the analysis of the results, they could conclude: (1) the growth of these glands in relation to body weight, during postnatal life, could be considered similar, following the allometric law; (2) the differential growth of the glands occurred in two stages: from birth until the 15th day and from the 15th day until the final period of life studied; (3) the two stages of development were separated by a critical period, during which an abrupt modification of the allometric coefficient occurred; (4) during the first days of postnatal life, the development of the Harderian gland was characterized by a high rate of growth and, just after eyelid disjunction and during rest of postnatal life, by a rate of allometric of growth less than 1. It is interesting to observe that the lachrymal and Harderian glands' critical period of development on the 15th day of postnatal life coincides with the time at which the eyelids of the animal open.


Quantitative studies on the motor root of the mouse facial nerve. An electron-microscopic study. Fiber count analysis was performed with the electron microscope on the motor root of the facial nerve in six mice. On an average, 3,433 (84.9%) of the total nerve fibers (4,046) were myelinated and 592 (14.6%) unmyelinated. The motor root consisted mostly of large myelinated fibers (large fiber group), but a part of the root consisted of small myelinated and unmyelinated fibers (small fiber group). The nerve fibers of the small fiber group appear to correspond with those of the intermediate nerve, and to pass through the motor root and enter the intermediate nerve near the geniculate ganglion.


Ultrastructural study of the pineal gland of the chicken (Gallus gallus). The authors studied the pineal glands of chickens (Gallus gallus) between the ages of 2 and 5 days with the electron microscope. They described two distinct areas in the parenchyma of the organ: the follicles, formed by two cellular categories, the pineal A and B cells, and the parafollicular zone, which surrounds and separates the follicles from the connective walls. This area is formed, fundamentally, by two types of cells and nerve fibers. These cells occasionally delimit cavities. We propound the hypothesis of the possible transformation of the parafollicular zone into follicles.


Vegetative innervation of the esophagus. III. Intraepithelial endings. Intraepithelial fibers do occur in the mucosa of the esophagus, as demonstrated by the osmium tetroxide-zinc iodide method in cats and rhesus monkeys. The esophagus is divided into three parts, in order to study the penetration incidence, and the uppermost and the lowest show the greatest density of penetration, while in the middle portion only occasional fibers in small numbers are found. The specific characteristics observed in this type of fiber, such as their distribution along the wall of the esophagus, the levels reached by their endings within the mucous epithelium itself and this same epithelium considered as the specified destination of the endings, lead to the belief that they may be functionally regarded as structures of a sensory character.


[The lateral dental lamina and the enamel niche. 6th and last paper on the embryology of human teeth]. Up to the cap-stage the lateral enamel strand extends from the dental lamina to the tip of the tongue-like projection of the enamel organ, forming there a swelling. It does not reach the free margin of the enamel organ at the bell-stage. The lateral enamel strand gradually becomes smaller in regard to the tooth germ, changing its relative position to the mesial half of the latter, and finally degenerates. In the molar germ, as the epithelial tongue-like projection at the cap-stage increases in length to become an interradical process, the lateral enamel strand extends as a crest on the buccal interradical process. The direction of the lateral enamel strand is inverse in the maxillary molar germs.


[Various forms of the celiac trunk and its anastomoses with the superior mesenteric artery]. Three rare varieties of upper abdominal arteries were compared with similar cases in the anatomical literature. An attempt was made to obtain a classification of the supernumerary branches of the celiac trunk and of the anastomoses between the celiac trunk and the superior mesenteric artery. One or more supernumerary branches of the celiac artery can be observed: (1) the superior mesenteric artery; (2) an accessory hepatic artery; (3) a posterior pancreatic artery; (4) a colic artery; (5) an accessory splenic artery; (6) a connecting branch to the superior mesenteric artery, and (7) an inferior phrenic artery. The following types of anastomoses between the celiac artery and the superior mesenteric artery can be distinguished: (1) direct connection; (2) anastomoses within the hepatic artery; (3) anatomoses following pre- or postnatal stenosis, and (4) the pancreatic arcades. For the first type the theory of TANDLER (longitudinal anastomosis) is abandoned. The development of the second type is as yet unresolved. In the case of the last two types a postembryonal formation is possible.


Outline of the arcuate nucleus in the human medulla oblongata. The outline of the arcuate nucleus in the human medulla oblongata was studied in a series of serial sections of brain stems of newborn and young children. The nucleus lies on the ventral aspect of the pyramid. At higher levels the nucleus lies on the ventral and medial aspect of the pyramid. In the upper regions of the medulla the two nuclei fuse together, giving rise to a median dorsal extension, which in the uppermost part of the medulla extends to the floor of the fourth ventricle. The nucleus sends numerous branches to the corticospinal portion of the pyramidal tract, while the dorsal extension of the arcuate nucleus sends numerous transverse rays on either side which consist of nerve fibres and cells. These rays extend in the areas of the medulla occupied by the medial lemniscus, tectospinal portion, and medial longitudinal bundle. The significance of the findings is discussed.


Dental abrasion as a factor in remodeling of the mandibular condyle. Skulls of 100 male and female subjects of various ages and with unimpaired dental arches were examined with respect to the morphological features of the mandibular condyle. A certain number of typical shapes were distinguished. Dental abrasion was also assessed and three parameters were calculated: (1) total abrasion index; (2) working:balancing abrasion ratio, and (3) frontal abrasion index. These data were then related to condylar shape and subject age. The results show that abrasion influences changes in condyle shape due to bone remodeling. The forces applied on this bone segment are distributed over functional areas that vary both in extent and in their different characteristics.


Morphofunctional peculiarities of the transverse processes of the axis, considerations on their pathogenetic significance. The transverse process C2 plays an important role in the stabilization of the vertebral unit C2/C3 and the protection of the vertebral artery and the cervical spinal cord. The anatomical disposition of the transverse processes C2 and especially the lateral processes may be different from one subject to another. Certain anatomical variants of the transverse process can exert a negative effect on the stabilizing and protective function of the same. Our observations suggest that a maldevelopment or a lesion of the transverse process of the axis may induce extra stresses in the vertebral unit C2/C3 with subsequent development of a zygapophyseal arthrosis at this level. Any zygapophyseal arthrosis (uni- or bilaterally) should lead us to think of this possibility too.


Morphological study on the thebesian veins of the right cavities of the heart in the dog. The authors studied 48 dog hearts, using the injection-corrosion-fluorescence method to study the topography of thebesian veins in all the walls of the cardiac cavities. The thebesian veins are small, situated deep in the myocardium, opening after a short course into the cardiac cavities, by small openings with diameters in general not exceeding 1 mm, known 'foraminula'. They have a centripetal course, while every other vein in the heart has a centrifugal one, to reach the subepicardial zone. In the heart of the dog five types of thebesian veins were served: arboriform, sinuous, brush-like, canaliculated and stellate. The thebesian veins are almost regularly found in every wall of the cardiac cavities. The authors also observed that they predominated in the right ventricle (81.24%) and in the right atrium (77.43%).


Experimental brain damage from fluid pressures due to impact acceleration. 2. Pathophysiological observations. The significance of the intracranial acceleration pressure pattern at impact to the intact skull in production of brain damage is discussed, particularly as regards the contre-coup pressures. A rigid fluid-filled cylinder was connected to the skull cavity of rabbits; the cylinder was impacted and the intracranial contents acted as a contre-coup end. The pressure pattern was also modified by injection of small quantified air volumes. The pathophysiological effects of "experimental brain concussion" with vasomotor and respiratory disturbances which occurred were related to the contre-coup pressures produced, particularly the magnitude of subatmospheric pressures and the duration of late positive pressures. Some implications on their significance for brain tissue flow are discussed.


Experimental brain damage from fluid pressures due to impact acceleration. 3. Morphological observations. "Contre-coup" lesions occurring particularly in the frontal and temporal lobes following head injury have been claimed to be caused by sudden negative pressure transients, as part of the "contre-coup" end pressures occurring in the brain tissue at an occipital impact. With a new experimental model such impact acceleration pressure (near-1 atm) could be generated in the rabbit brain through a parietal opening. Resulting morphological changes were evaluated with various microscopical methods, including Evan's blue-albumin technique for observations on vascular permeability changes. Regardless of the magnitude of the negative pressure transients no changes characteristic of "contre-coup" lesions were seen in temporal lobes, i.e. in areas where preparative artefacts are absent in control animals. Therefore such negative pressure transients per se do not appear to be of major importance for the development of contre-coup lesions. However, vascular permeability changes were frequently observed in the brain stem and upper cervical cord and are presumably related to the flow of tissue in the cranio-spinal junction.


Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function following subarachnoid hemorrhage. The endocrine function was evaluated in 50 patients a minimum of 3.5 months after a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal function was assessed by studying the circadian rhythm of plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids and with the metyrapone test. In addition, screening methods were used to evaluate thyroid and gonadal functions. The results indicate that hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal disturbances may occur in patients surviving a subarachnoid hemorrhage. In patients who have survived a subarachnoid hemorrhage more than 3.5 months, however, frank hypopituitarism is rare.


Experimental brain damage from fluid pressures due to impact acceleration. 1. Design of experimental procedure. The significance of the intracranial acceleration pressure pattern at impact to the intact skull in production of brain damage is discussed particularly as regards the contre-coup pressures. Sudden pressure changes within the cranial cavity of the rabbit were studied by means of a new impact acceleration model. The rabbit skull was connected with a cylinder. Impact acceleration was applied to the model with the skull contents serving as a "contre-coup end". Skull deformation was minimized by reinforcement of the skull vault. Acceleration, velocity and displacement of the system were recorded at various sites and could be predicted within wide ranges. Simultaneous recordings were also made of the pressure changes in the skull cavity and cylinder contents. By adjusting the acceleration course and by introducing a quantified air bubble 050, 100, 150 mm3) at the impact of the cylinder, it was possible to produce and vary an intracranial pressure pattern of "contre-coup type", including predictable subatmospheric transients. The mechanics of the intracranial pressure changes and displacements are discussed. The method seems to be suitable for studying the relations between brief negative-positive pressure variations (about 5 ms) of "contre-coup type" and pathological alterations similar to those reported in other head injury models and in human head trauma.


[Cerebral complications (viral encephalopathy, toxoplasmosis) in two patients with treated Hodgkin's disease. Clinical and pathological study (author's transl)]. In his anatomo-clinical description of two cases of Hodgkin's disease treated by immunosuppressive agents and which were complicated by encephalopathy, the author insists on the moderate encephalic inflammatory reaction which he attributes, in part, to the noxious effects of this type of therapeutics on the immune defenses. He further reviews similar case histories from the literature and compares them with his personal observations. The first case, of subacute evolution, may have been infected by two distinct viruses represented by intranuclear inclusions; one having its site within the neurons provoking a moderate localized oedematous zone in the cerebral trunk, the other situated within the neuroglia cells results in a net tissular reaction. In the absence of virological and electron microscopic studies it is impossible to be precise about their true nature. The second case, on the contrary of acute evolution, revealed an extraordinary quantity of intracellular toxoplasma parasites in the periphery of several necrotic areas.


Effects of microembolization on the skeletal muscle blood flow. A critique of the microvascular occlusion model of Duchenne dystrophy. Muscle blood flow (MBF) during exercise was determined in both anterior tibial muscles of 12 rabbits by the local 133-Xe method before and after embolization of 20 to 80 mum dextran particles into the right femoral artery. With a relatively low dose of particles (dry weight: 8.7 mg), MBF was significantly decreased up to 4 days after each embolization, and mild histologic abnormalities were observed in the embolized muscles. A four-fold higher dose resulted in a marked and permanent decrease of the MBF, ischemic necrosis of the distal leg muscles and toe gangrene. In the light of these findings and the previously demonstrated normal MBF in Duchenne dystrophy, the validity of the assumption that Duchenne dystrophy is caused by small vessel occlusions is questioned.


The Elizur test of psycho-organicity (adults). A cross-validation study. In an effort to cross-validate the Elizur Test of Psycho-Organicity (performed on adults), a combined test used for the diagnosis of organic brain condition, 96 subjects were tested. The test can differentiate the "organic" and "non-organic" groups in a statistically significant manner. Eighty-five percent of the organics and 81% of the non-organics can be correctly identified by the test. In addition there is a significant correlation between the test findings and the electroencephalographic and radiographic results.


Inhibitory effect of unsaturated fatty acids on lymphocyte-antigen interaction with special reference to multiple sclerosis. Using the macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test, the in vitro effects of oleic, linoleic and arachidonic acid, as well as Naudicell oil and methyl gamma-linolenate, on lymphocyte response to various antigens (PPD, thyroid antigen and EF) were studied in patients with mutiple sclerosis, patients with other neurological diseases, and in normal subjects. In all three groups, linoleic and arachidonic acid showed a significant inhibition; the latter was greater than the former, when tested at physiological concentrations, suggesting that unsaturated fatty acids may exert an immunoregulatory effect in vivo. The methylester of gamma-linolenate is the most powerful suppressing agent yet tested. The inhibitory activity of linoleic and arachidonic acids was consistently greater in MS than in other subjects and forms the basis of an in vitro test for the disease. The possible relationship of these findings to widespread alterations in the fatty acid composition of the tissues and to the pathogenesis of MS is discussed.


[Angiomas of the epidural space (author's transl)]. The authors describe two cases of angiomas strictly limited to the spinal epidural space. They review the literature and stress the rarity of these tumours.


Concentrations of monoamine metabolites in human lumbar and cisternal cerebrospinal fluid. 5HIAA and HVA were determined in successive samples of CSF withdrawn at the lumbar and cisternal levels in connection with gas myelographic examinations in 16 patients. The mean of 5-HIAA in the first cisternal samples were 83 ng/ml (n equal to 8) and of HVA 143 NG/ML (N equal to 7). A sharp increase in the concentration of both metabolites, but particulary of HVA, was seen in successive lumbar samples. The ratio of cisternal/lumbar 5-HIAA was 3/1, and of HVA 10/1 in one patient in whom lumbar and cisternal CSF were obtained with 2 weeks' interval. The concentrations of monoamine metabolites in CSF obtained at lumbar puncture are thus highly dependent on the amount of fluid withdrawn. This fact should be taken into consideration when different materials are compared.


Abnormal involuntary movements in relation to anticholinergics and levodopa therapy. During a study comparing levodopa with and without benserazide in Parkinsonism, 19 of 41 patients (42 per cent) receiving concomitant anticholinergic therapy developed abnormal involuntary movements (AIM), in contrast to 11 of 58 patients (19 per cent) receiving only levodopa. This difference is statistically significant. Discontinuation or dose-reduction of anticholinergics in 10 patients without altering the levodopa-dosage resulted in disappearance or amelioration of the AIM in nine cases. The Parkinsonism, however, aggravated subsequently, necessitating resumption of anticholinergics in five cases. These results establich further the facilitating effect of anticholinergics on the emergence of AIM.


Biochemical status in epileptic patients during treatment with vitamin D. A controlled therapeutic trial. In a controlled therapeutic trial, serum calcium and serum alkaline phophatase levels were measured levels were measured during treatment with different doses of vitamin D2 in 45 epileptic inpatients. The results demonstrate that, in spite of the curative effect of vitamin D2 with regard to total body calcium, this vitamin has no effect on serum calcium or serum alkaline phosphatase in anticonvulsant osteomalacia.


Experimental brain damage from fluid pressures due to impact acceleration. 4. comparative studies with acceleration-concussion. In order to elucidate the cause of brain damage in head injuries experiments are often designed to cause impacts to the intact skull of animals. To study the injurious significance of the contre-coup part of the impact acceleration pressure pattern we have previously applied direct loading through a parietal opening to the rabbit skull cavity. In order to evaluate the effects of the acceleration, similar impacts were delivered with greater magnitudes of such movements of the intact reinforced rabbit skull with the same equipment attached but without trephine opening. Varied and predictable acceleration, velocity and displacement of the head, and minimized skull deformation were possible with this model. Threshold levels of such impact acceleration were studied with regard to changes in respiratory and vasomotor activities ("concussive response"). Vascular permeability changes in the brain and spinal cord were studied with Ean's blue-albumin injection before the impact. Morphological observations were also made at the end of the experiments. No significant pathophysiological or morphological effects were elicited below peak acceleration of 2000 gn (duration 0.7 ms), peak velocity of 5 m/s or total dislocation of the head of 30 mm. At higher levels of impact a "concussive response" was elicited without fractures of the skull bone or significant brain lesions. Thus, in impact tests resulting in acceleration magnitudes far below those levels the signs of brain damage induced might mainly be related to the mechanical effects added--i.e. the fluid pressure loading.


Optic neuritis: studies on the cerebrospinal fluid in relation to clinical course in 61 patients. A prospective study on 61 previously healthy patients with acute mono-symptomatic optic neuritis is reported. Interest was focused on changes in the cerebrospinal fluid and the clinical course with possible development of multiple sclerosis. At the beginning of the disease, a mononuclear pleocytosis was noted in 51 per cent of the patients, an elevated IgG level in 18 per cent, and an oligoclonal IgG distribution in 41 per cent. These results are in sharp contrast to those in multiple sclerosis. Eleven patients have so far developed definite multiple sclerosis. At onset only five of these had cerebrospinal fluid findings indistinguishable from those in multiple sclerosis, with pleocytosis and bands on electrophoresis. In five more patients, who subsequently developed multiple sclerosis, the cerebrospinal fluid IgG was normal at onset, but an oligoclonal IgG appeared during the follow-up; there was no correlation in time between the appearance of new symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid changes. In six patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid and four patients with only mononuclear pleocytosis at the onset of disease, the IgG pattern became oligoclonal on electrophoresis during the follow-up period, although the patients had no further symptoms or signs of disease. It was concluded, therefore, that the cerebrospinal fluid was often normal in the first attack of what later proved to be multiple sclerosis, and that a normal fluid did not preclude a development into definite multiple sclerosis. Sometimes IgG bands appeared in previously normal cerebrospinal fluid, although the patients had not experienced new symptoms.


The epidemiology of optic neuritis in Finland. Evidence has been presented that optic neuritis partially reflects benign cases of MS which are lost in the epidemiological investigation of the disease. As part of a large epidemiological investigation of MS, 221 patients with pure optic neuritis were identified during the period from January 1, 1967 to December 31, 1971. The mean annual incidence for the whole of Finland was 0.94 per 100,000 population. The female to male ratio was 1.7. The mean age at onset was 31.2 years. The distribution of optic neuritis by counties showed the highest mean annual incidence in the southwestern county of Turku and Pori (1.69) and in the western county of Vaasa (1.68). The prevalence data for MS were highest in these counties. A highly significant deviation from a random distribution according to place at onset and place of birth was obtained. Even the geographical distribution by smaller units, i.e. the combined clerical districts, revealed a firm accumulation to the western districts in the county of Vaasa and to the southwestern districts in the county of Turku and Pori. Thus, optic neuritis showed a similar geographical distribution of Jalasjärvi with several familial cases of MS did not increase the familial percentage when both conditions were considered as a single group. The risk of getting optic neuritis seems to depend on the influence of factors present during childhood. The epidemiological data point to a common factor in the aetiology of optic neuritis and MS.


The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis and tuberculosis in Finland. A study based on mortality statistics. Mortality statistics were used to check the previously observed uneven geographical distribution of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Finland, and also to compare the distribution of tuberculosis and MS with each other. In total, 331 MS deaths which could be regarded as deaths primarily due to MS were registered during the period from 1963 to 1971. The mean age at death was 49.9 years. The mean annual mortality rate was 0.8 per 100,000 population. The highest rates due to MS were registered in the western county of Vaasa. The cumulative mortality and birth rates showed a significant accumulation of MS cases to the western county of Vaasa and the southwestern county of Turku and Pori. A previous study revealed a high percentage of familial cases of first-degree kinship in the selected district of Jalasjärvi in the county of Vaasa. The mortality material revealed one additional MS case which raised the familial percentage to 13 among the living patients in this district. Statistics of tuberculosis have shown a constant accumulation of the disease in the western part of the country for more than 100 years. The mean annual mortality rate for tuberculosis was 17.1. The highest rate (23.0) was found in the western county of Vaasa, where the mortality rate (1.34) for MS was highest. Previous immigrant studies in Finland suggest that the uneven geographical distribution of tuberculosis is due to hereditary factors. The population of Finland consists of varying degrees of isolates, and the similarity of the distributions of MS and tuberculosis may thus reflect a common genetic factor in their aetiology.


The effect of naftidrofuryl on the metabolic response to exercise in man. We have designed this investigation to determine whether naftidrofuryl has an effect upon metabolism in vivo in man. Five subjects were studied during and after steady exercise on a bicycle ergometer. On the first occasion they received naftidrofuryl (300 mg orally) 20-40 min before exercise; and on the second they exercised without the drug to provide control observations. Blood samples were taken for the estimation of glucose, pyruvate, lactate, glycerol, acetoacetate and 3-hydroxybutyrate. Exercise with naftidrofuryl caused a significantly greater rise in blood pyruvate concentration during the exercise and post-exercise period compared with the controls. Changes in glucose, lactate, glycerol and ketone-bodies were not significantly different from the control values. Lactate/pyruvate ratios were significantly reduced with naftidrofuryl during the post-exercise period. Exercise causes a rise in intracellular anaerobic metabolism with associated increases in blood lactate/pyruvate ratios. This is followed by enhanced oxidative capacity during the recovery period as adduced from falling lactate/pyruvate ratios. The greater decline in lactate/pyruvate ratios with naftidrofuryl during the post-exercise period is evidence that naftidrofuryl is able to enhance cellular oxidative activity in vivo in man. Further studies in clinical situations are therefore indicated.


Meningoencephalitis with toroidal virus-like particles. A previously healthy middle aged man died following a 6 month illness which presented with middle ear symptoms, apparently resolved, and then 2 months later manifested as encephalitis. The illness was characterized initially by depression and intellectual deterioration. No family member or working associate was affected. The clinical diagnosis of viral encephalitis was confirmed by brain biopsy but no virus was isolated in the laboratory. Numerous intracisternal toroidal virus-like particles were demonstrated by electron microscopy in the perikarya and dendrites but not in glia. The particles resemble, but are not identical to, the oncornaviruses associated with spontaneous and induced murine neoplasms. The resemblance of these structures to the intracisternal toroidal type "A" virus of murine leukemia is noted and other possible causes for this atypical meningoencephalitis are discussed.


Ultrastructural aspects of muscle and nerve in Werdnig-Hoffmann disease. The authors describe in biopsies from 6 cases of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, including 2 of the more benign type, the ultrastructural typical aspects of denervation. They compare their findings with those of other workers. The striking points are the great variation in the diameter of the muscle fibres and the myofibrils, the disorganisation of the myofibrils, the sarcomeres and the filaments, with persistance of the relations between thick and thin filaments at various levels, the modifications of the Z-band and the triads in chains. The folds and the basement membrane are examined. Centrioles are present in a muscle fibre and in a satellite. Glycogen is very abundant. The nerves seem normal but some Schwann cells contain pi granules which are not observed usually at the age of the patient. The end plates and a muscle spindle are normal.


[Electron microscopic study of striatodental calcification (Fahr) (author's transl]. In a woman, aged 52, who had impaired phosphate excretion and low serum calcium levels, abundant calcium deposits (Pseudokalk) were found between the basement membranes of blood vessels in the regions of corpus striatum and nucleus dentatus as well as in the subcortical white matter and centrum semiovale. Calcium deposits were found also outside blood vessels but always in the vicinity of the basement membrane. These can be phagocytozed by makrophages or astrocytes. Calcium deposits have a characteristic ultrastructure. They are built up of 140-400 A electron lucent filaments (acid mucopolysaccharid?) within which electron dark segments built up of 40-80 A units (calcium deposits?) are found. The concentric rings of calcified deposits are of reflection of differing density of aggregation of dark filaments. The growth of the deposits takes place by additional precipitation. In the development of calcification of the cerebral blood vessels in Fahr's disease, the role of high serum phosphate levels, the increased permeability and dysfunction of mesenchymal cells of the vessel walls are discussed.


The activity of the stapedius muscle in man during vocalization. The EMG of the stapedius muscle and visible movements in the stapedius tendon during the subject's own vocalization of an [a:] and during contralateral acoustic stimulation were studied in subjects with eardrum perforation. The threshold for stapedius activity was near the lowest vocal intensity that the subjects could produce. At normal vocal effort the stapedius muscle was activated to about 50% of its maximum value. The EMG often started before the vocal sound, indicating that the stapedius muscle can be activated from the central nervous system as a part of the vocalization process. It is suggested that the contraction of the stapedius muscle during vocalization reduces the masking caused by the low frequency components of the person's own voice even at normal vocal effort and thereby improves intelligibility of simultaneous external speech.


Tympanic muscle reflex elicited by electric stimulation of the tongue in normal and pathological subjects. A bilateral reflex contraction of the tensor tympani muscle has been obtained in man by electric stimulation of the tongue (1-2 mA). The stimulus is well tolerated and always effective. The advantage is stressed of eliciting a contraction of this muscle without involvement of the stapedius, as occurs with other methods. An analysis has been subsequently conducted in normal subjects and in patients affected by pathology of the tympano-ossicular system: tympanosclerosis, otosclerosis, suprastapedial facial paralysis; in cases of interruption of the afferent arch: section of the homo-lateral lingual nerve; in cases of involvement of its central portion: cerebello-pontine-angle tumours; and in cases of section of chorda tympani. A chiasm-like central nervous pattern is suggested.